LONDON -- Arguably the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Vasyl Lomachenko, will be back in action on Aug. 31 on ESPN+. Lomachenko will be traveling to London to take on Luke Campbell. On the line will be Lomachenko's WBA and WBO lightweight titles along with a vacant WBC strap.
Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) is a fantastic offensive fighter. He does everything at an elite level, including frustrating the hell out of his opponents. Lomachenko's footwork might be the best in boxing and those fancy feet allow him to move in range and attack from awkward angles while also quickly dancing out of danger. His jab is masterful and he can control rounds with it. Along with that jab Lomachenko also has a good right hook and a skilled left hand. Another factor that makes him so dangerous is how accurate he is with his punches and how unrelenting his attack is. Some will point to the fact that he was knocked down by Jorge Linares as evidence that he is vulnerable as a lightweight. However, in his three fights at that weight he has dominated each opponent, even if there was a moment or two of doubt at one point.
By now fans should know the story of Lomachenko. He lost a close fight to Orlando Salido is his second professional bout and has done nothing but dominate since. Even in that loss Lomachenko looked very good late and had to contend with multiple low blows and a Salido who decided to enter the ring way over the featherweight limit. Since that loss Lomachenko has gone 12-0 with nine stoppages and he routinely makes top fighters quit, seemingly out of frustration more than anything else. Among his victims are fighters like Guillermo Rigondeaux, Linares, Jose Pedraza, Nicholas Walters, and Roman 'Rocky' Martinez. Now Lomachenko will travel to the U.K. for the first time not just to defend his titles against Campbell but also to defend his status as arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.
The biggest advantages for Campbell (20-2, 16 KOs) heading into this fight are his height and reach. That reach advantage is especially noticeable and should help Campbell who already fights well from the outside. He works behind a nice jab and he often follows that punch with a hard straight left hand. Campbell rarely throws his right hook though and he isn't a very busy puncher. The 31-year-old is really a two trick pony. He throws the jab and looks to land his heavy straight left hand. Occasionally Campbell will throw an overhand left but it isn't as accurate or as damaging as when he throws it straight down the pipe. However, if Campbell doesn't stay busy enough he is going to have a very difficult time against Lomachenko.
It isn't that Campbell has never faced any notable opponents. He has been in the ring with fighters like Linares who he lost to in a close fight and has wins over opponents like Darleys Perez and Argenis Mendez. Campbell has never faced anyone as talented or frustrating as Lomachenko though. Campbell's last loss was that split decision that went the way of Linares and since that defeat he's gone 3-0 with two knockouts against average opposition. Now Campbell will face off against the best opponent of his career as he looks to capture his first world title.
Not many fans or pundits are expecting Campbell to win. Most are expecting this fight to play out how most of Lomachenko's fights play out, with Lomachenko systematically breaking down his opponent before stopping them or making them quit. Campbell does have a notable size and reach advantage though and he has serious power for a lightweight. Linares was able to drop Lomachenko with a straight right hand and Campbell will need to look to land a similar punch from the left side. Certainly Campbell won't be as busy as Lomachenko but if he can time him and catch him with his heavy left hand he could find success. As for Lomachenko, what he needs to do is simply avoid that left hand. He shouldn't have a problem slipping Campbell's jab and outside of the jab and left hand Campbell doesn't really do much else. Expect Lomachenko to slip the jab, get inside, and let his hands go in a flurry of activity before dancing away from danger. As long as Lomachenko doesn't get overconfident and keeps and eye out for that straight left from the challenger he should be just fine.
PREDICTION: Luke Campbell will find a moment or two of success with his powerful and accurate straight left hand but that's pretty much all he'll find. Nearly every aspect of this fight will be dominated by Vasyl Lomachenko and he will cruise to victory and stop Campbell in the sixth round.
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| Lomachenko, moments after dropping Anthony Crolla |
By now fans should know the story of Lomachenko. He lost a close fight to Orlando Salido is his second professional bout and has done nothing but dominate since. Even in that loss Lomachenko looked very good late and had to contend with multiple low blows and a Salido who decided to enter the ring way over the featherweight limit. Since that loss Lomachenko has gone 12-0 with nine stoppages and he routinely makes top fighters quit, seemingly out of frustration more than anything else. Among his victims are fighters like Guillermo Rigondeaux, Linares, Jose Pedraza, Nicholas Walters, and Roman 'Rocky' Martinez. Now Lomachenko will travel to the U.K. for the first time not just to defend his titles against Campbell but also to defend his status as arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.
The biggest advantages for Campbell (20-2, 16 KOs) heading into this fight are his height and reach. That reach advantage is especially noticeable and should help Campbell who already fights well from the outside. He works behind a nice jab and he often follows that punch with a hard straight left hand. Campbell rarely throws his right hook though and he isn't a very busy puncher. The 31-year-old is really a two trick pony. He throws the jab and looks to land his heavy straight left hand. Occasionally Campbell will throw an overhand left but it isn't as accurate or as damaging as when he throws it straight down the pipe. However, if Campbell doesn't stay busy enough he is going to have a very difficult time against Lomachenko.
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| Campbell, celebrating a victory |
Not many fans or pundits are expecting Campbell to win. Most are expecting this fight to play out how most of Lomachenko's fights play out, with Lomachenko systematically breaking down his opponent before stopping them or making them quit. Campbell does have a notable size and reach advantage though and he has serious power for a lightweight. Linares was able to drop Lomachenko with a straight right hand and Campbell will need to look to land a similar punch from the left side. Certainly Campbell won't be as busy as Lomachenko but if he can time him and catch him with his heavy left hand he could find success. As for Lomachenko, what he needs to do is simply avoid that left hand. He shouldn't have a problem slipping Campbell's jab and outside of the jab and left hand Campbell doesn't really do much else. Expect Lomachenko to slip the jab, get inside, and let his hands go in a flurry of activity before dancing away from danger. As long as Lomachenko doesn't get overconfident and keeps and eye out for that straight left from the challenger he should be just fine.
PREDICTION: Luke Campbell will find a moment or two of success with his powerful and accurate straight left hand but that's pretty much all he'll find. Nearly every aspect of this fight will be dominated by Vasyl Lomachenko and he will cruise to victory and stop Campbell in the sixth round.
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